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  Gaming machines and systems having peripheral code downloading capabilitiesRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), With Communication Link (e.g., Television Broadcast, Etc.), Network Type (e.g., Computer Network, Etc.)Gaming machines and systems having peripheral code downloading capabilities description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060068920, Gaming machines and systems having peripheral code downloading capabilities. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/823,833, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DOWNLOADING PERIPHERAL CODE," filed on Mar. 30, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to peripheral devices and a method and apparatus for providing executable or operational code to a peripheral. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In computing environments it is common to associate one or more peripheral devices with a central controller or processor. As one example, electronic gaming machines may include a plurality of peripheral devices, such as a bill validator, a coin acceptor, a ticket dispenser, a video display, and a variety of other devices. These peripheral devices are associated with, and controlled partly by, one or more gaming control units. [0004] Generally, each peripheral also has its own internal controller. This controller may comprise a processor arranged to execute control code, or hardware embodying the control code. The code, whether in the form of executable software or embodied in hardware, controls certain aspects of the operation of the peripheral device. In the example of a gaming machine, the gaming control unit may accept signals from and transmit signals to a bill validator peripheral. The transmitted signals may include control signals such as a signal instructing the bill validator to shut off or cease operation in the event the gaming device security is compromised. The bill validator may include specific code governing the bill validation process, such as code arranged to compare scanned bill image data to a particular set of fixed bill validation data. [0005] In many instances, it is desirable to replace or modify the executable code associated with a peripheral. In those situations where the code is embodied in hardware, this requires that the peripheral be accessed and the hardware entirely replaced. This is both expensive and very time consuming. In the case of a gaming machine, when the machine is out of service for a peripheral code update, significant loss of revenues may occur. In the case where the code is stored in a memory device, such as read only memory (ROM), a new memory module may be installed. Again, this still requires access to the gaming machine. [0006] Finding a potential solution to permitting a change in the code associated with a peripheral is difficult when considering the many varied problems. If the peripheral code is to be updated or replaced, it is desirable to do so in a manner that ensures that the peripheral remains operational. For example, in the event the code is to be over-written to a flash memory, if a power interrupt occurs during the write process, the old code may be sufficiently overwritten, and the new code insufficiently instantiated, to permit the peripheral controller to operate. The entire memory module and/or controller of the peripheral must then be replaced. [0007] When considering gaming machines, security is of utmost concern. Another problem that must be addressed is that of ensuring that any new code provided to the peripheral is not corrupt or tainted. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Methods and apparatuses for downloading peripheral control and operational code to a peripheral of a gaming device are disclosed. [0009] One embodiment of the invention comprises a gaming device for presenting a game for play to a player, the gaming device comprising at least one game control device, at least one peripheral device associated with the game control device, a peripheral controller for controlling the peripheral device, resident code adapted to cause the peripheral controller to obtain control or operational code for controlling the operation of said peripheral device, and programmable data storage for storing control code transmitted to the peripheral device in response to a signal provided to the game control device. [0010] In one embodiment, peripheral control or operational code is stored at a data mass storage device associated with the game control device. In another embodiment, the control or operational code is transmitted from a remote location, such as a remote or central server, over a communications link to said game control device to the peripheral. [0011] In one embodiment, the peripheral is provided with resident code causing the peripheral to identify itself as a download device or otherwise cause control code to be transmitted when the peripheral is not being controlled by previously downloaded control code. In one embodiment, the peripheral is associated with a Universal Serial Bus and the peripheral controller comprises an EZ-USB.TM. type device. [0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of providing a peripheral controller adapted to control the peripheral device and a programmable memory associated with the controller, providing a signal for causing control code to be transmitted from a remote location to said peripheral, transmitting the control code to the peripheral, storing the control code at the programmable memory, and executing the code with the peripheral controller to enable the operation of the peripheral device by the peripheral controller. [0013] One embodiment of the invention comprises a method in which the code that is to be provided to the peripheral is first authenticated. In one embodiment, the authenticity of the code to be provided by the game control device to the peripheral is accomplished with a file verification procedure. [0014] A method of validating the code that has been downloaded to the peripheral is also provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of the peripheral transmitting the downloaded code back to the game control device or other remote location for comparison against an authentic copy of the control code. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of transmitting the control code to the peripheral a second time and the peripheral comparing the originally transmitted and stored code with the second transmitted copy. In yet another embodiment, the method comprises comparing values generated from the code. [0015] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings that follow, when considered with the attached figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 illustrates one example environment for use of an apparatus and method of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming machine in accordance with the present invention. [0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a peripheral device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 4 is schematic of a grouping of gaming machines such as illustrated in FIG. 2 in a network arrangement. Continue reading about Gaming machines and systems having peripheral code downloading capabilities... 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